Larry Adams, Nicole Miller and Paula Scrofano Star in Theatre at the Center's 42nd Street, Opening Sept. 16

By Michael Gioia
16 Sep 2012

Nicole Miller and Larry Adams
Nicole Miller and Larry Adams
Photo by Johnny Knight

The Theatre at the Center's staging of the Tony Award-winning musical 42nd Street, the company's biggest production to date, officially opens Sept. 16, following previews that began Sept. 13, at the Center for Visual and Performing Arts.

Directed by Theatre at the Center artistic director William Pullinsi with choreography by Linda Fortunato, the limited engagement continues through Oct. 21 in Munster, IN.

42nd Street is led by Jeff Award nominee Larry Adams (The Phantom of the Opera, Off-Broadway's The Hunchback Variations) as Julian Marsh, Nicole Miller (Theatre at the Center's Jesus Christ Superstar and Guys and Dolls) as Peggy Sawyer, Jeff Award winner Paula Scrofano (Theatre at the Center's Gypsy and Hello, Dolly!) as Dorothy Brock with Dale Benson as Abner Dillon, Nathan Mittleman as Billy Lawlor, David Besky as Pat Denning, Amy Brophy as Maggie Jones, Tom Moore as Bert Barry, Cara Salerno as Lorraine, Jenny Guse as Ann Reilly, Amy Orman as Phyllis and Steven Spanopoulos as Andy Lee.

Rounding out the ensemble are Rebecca Bradford, Johnson Vaughn Brock, Chris Carter, Amanda Lauren Compton, Mike Danovich, Brian M. Duncan, Allyson J. Graves, Kim Green and Michael Reckling.

42nd Street, according to Theatre at the Center, "tells the story of a starry-eyed young actress named Peggy Sawyer who leaves her Allentown home with hopes of making it big on Broadway. Julian Marsh, the Great White Way's most brilliant director, is preparing his biggest show yet, Pretty Lady, in the depths of the Great Depression in New York. He is faced with one obstacle after another, and when aging leading lady Dorothy Brock breaks her ankle at the last minute, panic spreads through the company. Thrust into the spotlight is young chorus girl Peggy Sawyer. Peggy is beautiful and talented; but can she overcome her nerves and give the performance of a lifetime? In just 36 hours, a star is born!"

The musical features a book by Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble with music by Academy Award winner Harry Warren and lyrics by Al Dubin. The score includes classics such as "We're in the Money," "You're Getting to be a Habit With Me," "Lullaby of Broadway" and "42nd Street."

Other members of the creative team include musical director and orchestrator William Underwood, scenic designer Jack Magaw, lighting designer Tim Fandrei, sound designer Barry G. Funderburg, costume designer Brenda Winstead, wig designer Kevin Barthel, props designer Lauren Earnshaw, production stage manager Amanda Davis, assistant stage manager Jill Yetsky, production manager/technical director Ann Davis and general manager Richard Friedman.

The Center for Visual and Performing Arts is located at 1040 Ridge Road in Munster, IN. For more information and tickets, call (219) 836-3255 or visit TheatreAtTheCenter.com.